5 Tips About Denture Care

When you’ve lost all of your teeth, a denture is a removable replacement for them. A partial denture is also used to replace missing teeth, while some natural teeth remain. As with any major change, your new dentures may feel a bit odd at first, until your body adapts to them; requiring the muscles of your cheeks and your tongue become used to keeping your new dentures in place, and you become accustomed to removing and inserting them comfortably. There may also be a bit of gum irritation, slight inflammation, and minor soreness of your gums as you adapt to your new dentures. You may also experience an increase in saliva at first, but you will soon adapt to your new teeth.

Since you’ve made a major investment in your dental health by acquiring a new set of teeth, you will want to take good care of your dentures or partial dentures. Remember, nothing lasts forever and, while your new dentures should provide you with a decade or more of dependable eating, speaking, and smiling, care must be taken to ensure they last as long as possible.

How to Take Care of Your Dentures**

Beyond this, caring for your gums is critical to the ongoing fit and comfort of your brand-new mouthful of beautiful teeth.

• Be careful when handling your dentures. Your new dentures are a precision prosthetic device, made to exacting standards for maximum comfort and fit. To avoid accidentally damaging them, hold them above a folded towel or basin of water when cleaning or otherwise handling your dentures.
• Brush your dentures every day. Just as you would with your natural teeth, you should brush your dentures every day to remove food and plaque, as well as preventing stains. Use a soft-bristled brush that has been designed specifically for cleaning dentures and brush them gently. Do not use a brush with hard bristles to avoid premature wear to the surfaces. Rinse dentures with water after every meal.
• Clean with a denture cleaner. Do not use toothpaste or any other abrasive cleaner on your dentures. You may choose to use an ultrasonic cleaner that has been designed for dentures, but you should brush your dentures daily.
• Soak your dentures when not wearing them. When you're not wearing your dentures, while sleeping for example, they should be stored in water. This will prevent them from drying out and becoming misshapen. You may also use a denture soaking solution to ensure long life and comfortable fit of your new dentures. Do not place your dentures in hot water or they may become warped and lose their fit.
• Brush your gums every day. To maintain a healthy mouth, and a proper denture fit, brush your gums daily to improve circulation, prevent plaque buildup, and keep your breath fresh. Since your gums are the foundation upon which your new dentures will rest, do everything you can to keep them healthy, supple, and comfortable.

Dr. Kaushal Dhawan and staff at The Colorado Center for Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry are available to help you determine effective solutions to all your dental problems. If you would like more information from your Littleton area Prosthodontist, please call to make an appointment today.